Do you give to?

Question

charity, or do you feel that there is so much pressure from ads about various needy causes, it makes me sad that I can't afford to give to them all and some hit the spot and are very upsetting. What is your thoughts on this?

Answer 1

I donate a lot in the form of time to organizations that are close to my heart, but I am very selective with the organizations.

My mother passed away from breast cancer, so I've made hundreds of pillows for breast cancer patients to use after a mastectomy at local hospitals. Since I was teaching at a local quilt shop at the time, the shop owner also let me do monthly sew-a-thons, at which I provided all of the fabric and taught interested volunteers how to make those as well.

Then the other great passion I have is making quilt tops for our wounded soldiers through http://americanheroquilts.com/

I got involved with this organization about 3 years ago while we were stationed in WA state. Since then we got stationed in AZ and I have been able to have a comfort quilt top provided for one of our troops here (purple heart recipient SSgt. Aime Hart) and quilts for a family of 5 who has lost their father (Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie) in the war.

Answer 2

I have donated either my time or money, and often both, to charities since I was a teenager. I learned a long time ago that I can't help everyone, but I can help some people...and to me that is what counts. I give because of my desire to do my part and not out of a sense of guilt.

Answer 3

Yes very much so, I volunteer when I have the free time too.

Answer 4

i give my old clothes to the red cross.

Answer 5

I do give a fair bit to charity. For example, I sponsor a child in a 3rd world country and that's about $450 a year. It seems like a lot when you say it that way, but I pay $33 per month, which is only about $1 a day. I can spare $1 each day from my pay! It isn't that much at all when you don't have to pay it all at once.

I also donate to the Heart and Stroke foundation and the Cancer society - I've had family and friends affected by both so these are important to me.

I do feel there's a lot of pressure from ads to donate. However, I've never been one to succumb to peer pressure!  ;o)  I do my research and choose the organizations that (A) mean the most to me and (B) will spend my money in the best way possible (in my opinion). I think people really have to sit down and do the research. That way they give to the organizations that will best utilize the funds, and not just giving because they feel pressured to give.

A lot of the animal charity ads are really upsetting to me. I have a tough time seeing those on tv. But that said, I don't tend to donate to those. The SPCA here has had a LOT of bad publicity because the president and upper management took a LOT of funds off the top and now live in million dollar homes, etc. I love animals and would love to help but I won't donate to the SPCA anymore. I know there are lots of smaller animal shelters or rescues, but I need to do the research to make sure I'm donating to a good one. I still haven't done that.

I think not enough people donate. So many of us make good money (at least enough to live comfortably, even if we aren't "rich") and at least enough to donate a few dollars. Also, at least in Canada, you get so much of that donation back on your tax return (45%) that a $400 donation only ends up being about $210 in the long run. I have no idea what you get back on taxes in the US, though. I know your tax returns are done quite differently than ours are.

Anyway, I'm late for work!  ;o)  But those are my two cents.

Answer 6

Yes, I sponsor a child (it's a tiny amount each month) and give lump sums when I feel able to. I also donate my time - it's important to do this if you can't afford to give financially. Think of it as good karma and you meet some great people.

Once when temporarily unemplyed (only for 4 days as it happened!) I helped out sorting clothes at a charity clothes shop Oxfam. The staff were great, I got free lunch and as many free clothes as I wanted, including an antique silk slip I still wear!

Answer 7

It is very depressing all the ads, i also do what i can. Give my old things to charity shops etc...sometimes it comes to a point were an advert comes on tv for needy children in africa dying from 'dirty water' and i feel awfully guilty for even having a tap. The world is a messed up place :(

Answer 8

I always give to the cancer chartities and to Trocaire an irish charity organisation

Answer 9

i do give to charities..but its a charity of MY choice!

Answer 10

i prefer to give to childrens charities and needy causes, preferably not the major ones.

Answer 11

I give a lot

But mainly to animal charitys

Answer 12

via charity shops